***
I awoke around seven in the morning for the day and stumbled down the hallway to the bathroom, flicking on the light. The brightness was overwhelming and I turned it back off with a moan. The sunshine from the window would be sufficient. I grabbed the bottle of aspirin from the medicine cabinet above the sink, fumbling with the child proof lid until it popped off, sending pills scattering.
“Shit,” I muttered to myself as I gathered two pills that had landed in the sink and tossed them in my mouth. Turning on the water, I cupped my hands to catch it to wash them down. I stood for a moment examining myself in the mirror as water dripped from my lip. My hair was disheveled and mascara had left faint trails of black under my blue eyes. I splashed water on my face to help wake me up, grabbed a hair tie and wandered back into the hallway toward the kitchen, pulling my hair up into a ponytail as I went. Flashes of Elijah crossed my mind and I smiled to myself.
Despite the hangover, I felt better than I had in months. I grabbed a box of cereal off of the fridge and made my way into the living room. Hitting the ON button as I passed the TV, I settled in on the couch. The news channel was still on, and they were discussing equal rights. The sound trailed off as my mind wandered to yesterday. I couldn’t get Elijah out of my thoughts. I wasn’t sure if he’d actually return and had no idea what I would do if he did. I grabbed the remote and flicked through the channels. Nothing was on this time of day, but talk shows, so I sat the remote down and picked up my cell phone. I had three voicemails and about twenty text messages. I sighed loudly and read through them as I ate the marshmallows out of the cereal box. All were from Grayson. All of them were full of hate.
I tossed the phone back to the coffee table and went to the kitchen. I made myself as cappuccino from a powder mix I found at the store. Almost as good as the real thing, without having to interact with other people. I took a big sip, burning my lip from my lack of patience. I slammed the cup onto the counter and grabbed an ice cube out of the freezer for the burn. I held it against my lip before I tossed the cube into my glass and watched it swirl as it melted into my frothy beverage.
Walking into my bedroom, I picked out something to wear for the day while my drink cooled off. I grabbed a pair of jeans from my dresser and a faded gray, fitted t-shirt from my closet, my standard wardrobe. Pulling a pair of panties from my top drawer, I headed toward the bathroom.
Turning on the shower, I waited for the temperature to adjust as I got undressed, then jumped in and scrubbed myself quickly under the warm spray, washing away the scent of stale beer and smoke. I was in and out in less than ten minutes. Brushing my hair, I paused in front of the mirror to apply mascara. I was ready for the day.
I grabbed my drink from the kitchen counter and headed out the door just after eight, sliding into my little bright orange Rio, which belonged to my brother before he was murdered. The radio blared to life, causing me to squint from the sharp pain in my head.
I manually searched through the stations to find a song I could sing along to. The presets were all still set to my brother’s favorite stations, which were mostly hard rock. I didn’t feel right about changing them. Settling on a nineties love ballad, I pulled out onto the street, ready to start the day.
I headed towards York New Salem through the winding country road, stopping at a local Hammons gas station and filled the car, which had been showing empty for two days now. I ran inside to buy a pack of cigarettes and a scratch-off ticket before continuing my trip.
Cranking the radio, I sang off key, glaring at the car next to me as we stopped at a red light and they laughed at the impromptu concert. I didn’t care. I swung around a Shafers’ drive through in Spring Grove to get some food before heading to my parent’s restaurant. I loved the drive to work. I was all alone and no one could bother me except for my own doubts and insecurities. The singing helped me keep my mind blank.
I arrived a little late and hustled into the restaurant, tying my apron as I made my way across the dining room floor to the kitchen. I ignored my fathers’ shocked expression as I clocked in and immediately went to work on setting up tables. Lately, I haven’t made it to work very often. I knew I laid a heavy burden on my parents and their struggling business, but I had convinced myself they were better off without an angry, bitter waitress swearing at customers. But deep down I knew, any help was better than no help. After Toby had gone missing a few weeks ago, they needed me more than ever.
As I was filling the salt shakers, an old couple came in and sat in my section. I rushed back to the kitchen and started a fresh pot of coffee and grabbed them a basket full of fresh biscuits. It was rare to see an elderly person, let alone a couple. They became easy targets for the Vamps because of their inability to fight them off.
The husband ordered for his wife and they laughed and talked for nearly two hours, before leaving. The rest of my shift was a blur. Couples and families came and went. My feet ached by the time my shift was over and I had, at least, two pots of coffee to myself. I was wired and exhausted at the same time.
The sun was beginning to set as I drove home and I decided to swing by the local pool hall where all of my friends from high school still hung out. I parked by the Paper Mill and made my way into the tiny rundown building on a back alley in Spring Grove. A few familiar faces noticed me and smiled in acknowledgment. I smiled back shyly and made my way to the back room where a heated pool game was in full swing.
Men yelled over the music and accused each other of cheating. Someone threw a pool stick and I ducked as it hit the wall beside me.
“Ezra’s hustling again?” I asked Madelyn, who shot me a wry grin as she tucked her fire red hair behind her ear. “I got next,” I yelled over the commotion. I grabbed a twenty out of my purse and threw it on the table. “I got next!” This time, the guys looked up and nodded, acknowledging my existence. I smiled back and leaned against the wall, watching the game unfold as I tried not to think of the handsome stranger from last night.
Ezra won, of course, and came over to receive a victory kiss from Madelyn. After a minute or so he looked over at me with a cocky grin.
“Let’s go,” he said, inclining his head toward the table. Ezra could have gone pro. He was the best pool shark I had ever seen, but his love for drugs had been greater than for the game. His once muscular physique was now thin and pale, dark purple marring the skin under his sunken eyes.
I racked the balls and waited for him to break. He did and balls scattered across the table with lightning speed, sinking three. His talent was incredible and such a waste. The bell above the door rang as people flooded into the pool hall for the evening rush.
During the day, this place looked abandoned, but at night, it came alive. The main room became hushed, and we quickly took notice of a commotion in the back. Everyone grabbed a pool cue and waited to see what was coming our way. Three men walked through the doorway, glaring at everyone in sight. The leader, a tall man, built like a farm hand with dirty blonde hair spoke first.
“I’ve got next,” he said with a slight Irish accent. His lips curled up into a smile, revealing his pointed fangs. Vampires could go undetected if they chose. This act was a sign of aggression. He wanted us to run. No one spoke as they made their way across the room to our table. I shot them a look of utter disgust and bent over to take my shot, sinking a ball.
I had pure hatred for vampires. Ever since their existence came to light, they preached equality while torturing and killing anyone who didn’t bow down and worship at their feet.
I walked around the table, shoving past them to take my next shot. I bent over, taking aim as a hand grabbed my ass from behind. I spun around shoving my cue stick under the vamp’s neck, my chest heaving in fear but I refused to back down. He raised his hands up in mock surrender as he and his friends laughed.
“Don’t fucking touch me, zombie,” I seethed as I turned back around to take my shot, hating that my hands shook.
“Actually, we’re not zombies, friend.??
? Grabbing the back end of my cue stick, the smile returned to his face.
“Dead is dead and I’m not your friend.” Throwing my cue onto the table, I walking out. I refused to show them any fear, they thrived on it.
I couldn’t take being here anymore. I stomped out toward my car, grabbing a cigarette from my purse, inhaling deeply as I lit it. My gaze found a shiny black muscle car parked several spaces from mine with a driver in the seat. It was exactly the kind of car my father used to drool over when I was little. I narrowed my gaze as I took in the dark haired man in the driver seat, his face obscured by the reflection of the street light on the glass.
“Eva,” Grayson called out as he got out of the car and walked over to greet me.
“Shit,” I mumbled under my breath. I jumped at the unexpected sound of his voice.
“What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you. I thought maybe we could talk.”
“I was just leaving.” Glancing back over my shoulder at the dilapidated building, I took another drag from my cigarette. He finally broke the silence as I opened my car door.
“Want some company?” He asked with forced enthusiasm.
“I think I’m just gonna go home and take a bath. It’s been a long day at work.” I was trying my best to look tired so he wouldn’t press the issue. It wasn’t hard after the day I had.
“Sure, no problem.” He placed his hand on my car door as I slid inside. “Have a safe trip. Call me.” He stared at me as the engine roared to life and an old rock ballad blared over the speakers.
“Sure thing,” I called back over the noise and shifted into drive as he pushed the door closed. I pulled out looking at Grayson through my rearview mirror. I had always thought he was the one. It was disappointing to learn that such things didn’t exist. Only in fairytales. Then I remembering that things such as vampires were all too real. Life was cruel.
CHAPTER FOUR
sacrificial lambs
I headed down the back roads toward home. I couldn’t get Grayson off of my mind. I felt awful for hurting him, even though we would have never worked out. My mind wandered to Elijah. I wondered if he would come around again. I hoped he would.
I turned onto Church Street with a new attitude. There was more to life outside of this small town. I had tasted it and I wanted more. I immediately went to my room to change out of my work clothes that smelled of coffee and sweat. I grabbed a pair of jean shorts and a tank headed into the bathroom as I thought of him while turning on the water and let the tub fill. My cell phone began to ring from my bedroom. I ran down the hall to see who it was. The caller I.D. showed Grayson. I set the phone back down on the dresser and walked back to the bathroom, lowering myself into the tub without answering. I felt like I finally had the courage to stop running back to Grayson whenever he flashed me a smile. It was only prolonging his pain. He wanted forever, and I knew our futures were no longer guaranteed.
I thought about the vampires at the pool hall and then those who had killed my brother. Three of them had been caught immediately, but their leader had avoided capture. Many doubted whether the ones found were even involved or if they were just sacrificial lambs to a higher power. I had my doubts as well. That is why I carried the gun. It had belonged to Marcus. If he had been carrying that night, perhaps he would still be around. I wouldn’t make the same mistake he had. He was caught off guard.
Most vampires have the ability to hide their true nature from humans, not making their secret known unless they deemed it necessary to get what they want. Or in the case of the pool hall assholes, they show their true colors for a good laugh. Most blended right in with the community, hiding behind the façade of a frat boy who parties all night or working nights like many people around here had to do to pay bills. It was harder for new vampires. They didn’t have the ability or the desire to stay in control. They thrived on the power of being an undead killing machine. Now that vampire’s existence was known, there was a great deal of speculations about who in the public eye had been one of them.
Groups had formed that were dedicated to discovering and exposing such people. They had already uncovered countless politicians and rock stars who led a secret eternal existence. Several of whom had faked their own deaths and lived in the underworld scene of European countries, where their names and faces were lesser known.
Once exposed, people would protest and harass them until they fled. I used to rally against such exposures and help with petitions for equal rights between the vampires and humans. That was until my brother was killed. I blamed myself for his death because of that.
Last year, when a young vampire went on a killing spree in a movie theater, the world rallied together to expose and eradicate them like disease-infested animals. Countries and world powers joined forces. Violence in the Middle East ceased and we all united against our common enemy. Nothing brings people closer together than sharing a mutual hate for someone else.
My phone rang again, startling me from my thought process. When was Grayson going to take the hint? I hopped out of the tub and pulled the drain as I began to dry off. There was a knock on the door and I rolled my eyes, cursing him under my breath. I was not dealing with his shit tonight. I brushed my hair out and went to my bedroom to grab my lotion. The banging on the door became louder as my phone simultaneously rang.
“Damn it.” I stormed out of my room to the door, yanking it open. “What?”
Elijah stood in the hallway with a grin and a bouquet of flowers. I felt my cheeks heat up as I blushed.
“I-I’m sorry. I thought you were someone else,” I stammered, chewing my lip.
“Clearly.” Grinning he held out the flowers as his eyes traveled down the length of my body.
“Thank you. Come in,” I said, stepping out of the way, smelling the lilies. My phone went off again and I threw it on my bed as I followed Elijah to the living room. All my frustrations disintegrated as Elijah turned around and looked me up and down. “I should get dressed,” I said, suddenly realizing I was still wrapped in my towel.
“Don’t put on clothes on account of me,” he said with a devilish smirk.
“Here.” Handing him the remote, I motioned to the couch. “I’ll just be a sec.” I headed down the hall. I heard the television come on as I slipped into my room, squealing quietly to myself. I threw on my T-shirt and shorts, stopping in front of my dresser to spritz on some perfume that smelled like a horrible imitation of the very real flowers Elijah had brought me. Grabbing them, I inhaled their scent once more before putting them in a tall glass on my kitchen counter. I walked back into the living room casually, trying to hide my nervousness. Elijah was so enthralled with the news he didn’t seem to even notice my presence.
“Anything interesting?” My voice squeaked and I swallowed hard, begging my heart to slow its pace.
He looked startled and clicked off the television. “Just you,” he said as he got up and gave me a soft kiss on the lips. I smiled, unable to hide my growing infatuation with him.
“No work?”
“Nah, got the night off. I’m all yours.” He grinned.
“What do ya have in mind?”
“A movie.” He winked and I had to force myself not to giggle like a little girl. I was excited to go out on a real date. I can’t remember ever having one unless you count the after school trips to get fast food with Grayson, which I didn’t. I grabbed my phone off of my bed, and then realized I couldn’t have it on in a theater, and tossed it back onto my pillow.
***
We decided on an action flick with an underlying love story. We sat off to the side and Elijah kept his arm around me for most of the movie. I was so lost in the thought of him, I didn’t notice the commotion on the other side of the theater. That was until Elijah grabbed my hand and pulled me toward the fire exit in the front of the room. Some guys had come in and started a fight with the local football players, most likely a rival team. We made it to the parking lot where I noticed a shiny black mus
cle car parked in the fire lane.
“I think those guys in there are the ones who came into the pool hall earlier starting trouble. They’re vampires,” I warned.
“Come on.”
I pulled my arm free from his grip and he turned around, his jaw tense.
“We can’t just leave. Aren’t you going to do… something?” I threw my hands in the air, not certain what it was I expected from him.
“Like what, Eva? You want me to go in there half-cocked and start shit with a bunch of vamps?”
“Well, we can’t just leave them in there with all those people.”
He took two quick steps toward me and I had to look up to maintain eye contact.
“If they wanted to kill someone in there, they’d already be dead.” His voice was so low but I could tell he was upset.
“But it’s your job.” I sat the weight of the world on his shoulders with one statement but his resolve didn’t waver.
“No. Tonight, my job is to keep you safe. You. So you can either walk with me side by side, or I can carry you, but we are leaving now.”
I eyed him for a moment, wanting to protest but I knew he was right that if those guys wanted to, everyone in that room would be dead. Having him go back in would just escalate the situation.
I held out my hand and he laced his fingers in mine, his mouth cocked in a small grin. We rushed back toward my house, avoiding any confrontation.
When we reached my apartment, I locked the door, leaning back against it as I struggled to slow my breathing.
“Whenever you see that car I need you to run the other direction as fast as you can.” He placed his hands on either side of my face.